I bet it will be good, let us know if you find it. I once saw a film of him teaching at the AAK college, he was the original tabla teacher, I am extremely envious of those times, he is fantastic and was considered one of the best teachers, I think he still is.

Jake (Nov 26, 2002 04:37 a.m.):Hello!Does anyone have Shankar Ghosh's play tabla book+video? I am about to buy it. Are there a lot of varaitions written from the themes (kaida, rela, laggi)? Is it good?

I should have the video+book set this week. I'll let you know about it. I recently bought Shankar Ghosh's tabla solo in Nasrook and Teentaal. He is a GREAT player. His theme and variation is so developed!! Variations in kaidas and relas have practically no end. A real inspiration and great joy to listen to! Cd has very good linear notes! It's a must for every tabla player!!

I just finished watching the video. The video has a documentary for 45 minutes in the beginning.There Pandit Shankar Ghosh trains His students, tests few tablas, plays few compositions as duo with Bikram Ghosh. There is also a short clip where Shankar Ghosh plays tabla solo with accompaniment. Documentary tells about Calcutta's tabla scene. There are some pictures about manufacturing the tabla.

The teaching session covers 4 kaidas, 3 relas, laggi, few tukras, a gat and a chakradar, if I remember correctly. Pandit Shankar Ghosh carefully and clearly explains different compositions and bols.

The main thing why I ordered the video was to see the Master playing. His technic is effortless and the sound is well balanced. Minus is that there aren't too many variations from the themes. Well, we can all go to and listen to the tabla solo cd of His.

I just want to say that if you have any difficulties in your basic technic, this video will give you best possible guidance for that. The playing of Shankar Ghosh looks so easy, although it's nothing but easy. He doesn't make any extra movements and the sound is always crystal clear. You can just watch, learn and enjoy!